Nut-lock



-(No ModelJ J. S. ROSENST-EEL Nut Look.

No. 236,092. Patented Dec. 28,1880.

W L K Md. IQ,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB S. ROSENSTEEL, OF WEST BELLEVUE BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

NUT-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,092, dated December 28, 1880.

Application filed April 3, 1880.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JACOB S. RosENsTEEL, of West Bellevue Borough, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in N lit-Locks; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, forming apart of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved nut-lock. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same applied to a rail-joint, and Fig.3 is a cross-section on the line as m, Fig. 2.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each. Y

My invention relates to devices for looking or securely fastening the nuts used with bolts on railroads, bridges, machinery, and all other places where the jarring or vibration to which the nut and bolt are subjected is liable to gradually unscrew the nut. The danger arising from this source because of the consequent loosening and weakening or severing and separating of the connection fastened by the bolts and nuts has led many to seek some means of so looking and securely fastening the nuts on the bolts that they will not be unscrewed by the jarring of the machinery or structure of which they form a part.

The object of my invention is to improve the construction of the nut-lock heretofore formed, in which a locking-plate is hinged to a perforated attaching-plate secured below two adjacent nuts, and fits down between the nuts, so as to adapt it more perfectly for use.

It consists in forming in the sides of the hinged locking-plate angular recesses, which are elongated so as to fit down over the nuts when they are turned diagonally to the length of the locking-plate.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe its construction and operation.

My invention is illustrated as applied to the joint of two railroad-rails, it being used on bridges, machinery, &c., in practically the same manner.

In the drawings, A A are the rails, B the fish-bars, O the bolts, and D the nuts, all of which are of the usual construction, the necks (No model.)

of the bolts being made oblong to prevent their turning.

My improved locking device is formed of two plates, E F, hinged together at the top f. The long plate E has two bolt-holes, 6, formed therein, one at each end, and is of such length that the bolt-holes 0 will fit over the adjacent bolts 0, with which it is to be used. When there is a very long space between the bolts, as is often found in bridges, part of the metal in the center of the plate may be cut away, so as to lighten it and reduce its cost. The locking-plate F is shorter than the bolt-plate E, being of the proper length to fit between the nuts D. when said nuts are turned square. In both sides of the locking-plate F are formed the elongated angular recesses r, by means of which the nuts are locked by the plate when turned diagonal to its length. As the plates are hinged at the top, and the locking-plate moves on this hinge or pivotal point down between the nuts, it is evident that a common angular recess, which is only as large as the space covered by the nut when turned diagonally, would not permit the plate to fit between the nuts. The recess 1 is therefore elongated, as shown at s, so that it will pass overthe top of the nut turned diagonally and the upper edge of the recess fit close against the nut,

While the lower edge thereof, though not fit-- ting tight, will only permit a slight turn of the nut, when it will come against the edge of the recess and be locked thereby.

On the lower edge of the bolt-plate E is formed the clinching lip or projection g, which extends out from the plate beyond the locking-plate F, when it is pressed close to the bolt-plate. The purpose of this projection g is to secure the locking-plate between the nuts, which is accomplished by simply bending or clinching the end of the projection over the lower edge of the locking-plate, as shown in Fig. 3, thus preventing the hinged plate from being raised out of its place between the nuts.

This is especially desirable in bridges, ships,

and on the movable arms and wheels of machinery.

My improved nut-lock isapplied in the following manner: After the bolts 0 are passed through the rails and fish-bars or other parts to be connected, the bolt-plate E is placed over the bolts, which extend through the holes 0, the hingef of the plates being uppermost. 'Ihe nuts D are then screwed tight to place, being either turned square or diagonally, and the locking-plate F is dropped between them. \Vhen the nuts are turned square the sides of the plate lock them in that position, and if they are diagonal they are looked, as above set forth, in the elongated angular recesses r, the points of the angular nuts extending into said recesses. The locking-plate may then be secured in place by bending the clinching lip or projection 9 up over the lower edge of the plate.

In opening the lock to remove the nuts when the lip g is used, the lip, clinched or riveted over the locking-plate as aforesaid, is bent down by a blow from a hammer and the locking-plate lifted from between the nuts, when they can be unscrewed, the locking-plate being ready for use again at the same or any otherjoint or connection.

By my improvement I provide a simple and eflicient nut-locl:, which is adapted to lock the nuts firmly, whether turneddiagonalor square, and to secure the locking-plate between them. It can also be used over and over again, as its eificiency is not done away with when removed from ajoint.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In nut-locks composed of a perforated plate, to be secured under two adjacent nuts, and a plate hinged thereto, to be adjusted between said nuts, elongating the notches r, as at s, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said JACOB S. ROSENSTEEL, have hereunto set my hand.

JACOB S. ROSENS'IEEL.

\Vitnesses F. G. KAY, JAMES I. KAY. 

